Advising The Debtor

In many cases, providers are not advised where an overpayment has occurred.  This is because their own accounting practices identify where money has been incorrectly paid and either:

• Comcare's cheque is returned before it is banked; or

• a provider cheque is issued to Comcare to cover the full amount of the overpayment.  This is known as 'money in' and will be discussed further shortly.

Where large overpayments are found (payment has been banked), it is reasonable to advise the provider by phone that full recovery is required.

Initial advice should always be followed up with a letter (at Appendix 1).  It will detail all overpaid amounts, how the overpayment error occurred and expected recovery procedures appropriate for debtors such as service providers.

This advice alone will usually initiate an immediate response by the provider, with the full amount of the overpayment being repaid by cheque.  However, in some instances this approach may not be feasible for the provider.